Smith: Pujols puts family first at foundation event

Todd Perry, executive director/CEO, shakes hands with Eric Menter, 41, during the Pujols Family Foundation Game Day Debut at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim on July 1.ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER

ANAHEIM – On a July night at ESPNZone Downtown Disney, where many came to meet a most accomplished ballplayer, a future Hall of Famer and a fierce slugger on the verge of hitting 500 career home runs, Albert Pujols introduced his family.

"This is my daughter Bella," Pujols proudly said, raising his meaty arm at his side during his speech to families a lot like his own.

Bella, a sweet girl with a brown bob and soft features, appeared shy as any 15-year-old would when surrounded by an audience of 250 strangers at this Pujols Family Foundation event.

She wore a neon green and white-striped blouse emblazoned with the slogan "Girls Can Change the World," blue-jean shorts and teal sneakers. Her brown eyes stared at the floor when she wasn't looking up and smiling between sips of her cherry slushy.

Like many local children and young adults in attendance, Bella, the oldest of Pujols' five children, lives with Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes lifelong mental and developmental delays.

"She's a perfect girl," he told the crowd. "She's why we are here."

ESPNZone donated its 10,000 square-foot, second-floor Sports Arena arcade of nearly 200 video and interactive games to become their private playground for the four-hour Pujols Family Foundation "Game Day."

This was the first foundation event Pujols hosted in Orange County since the three-time NL MVP, nine-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion signed his 10-year, $246 million deal with the Angels in December 2011.

He could have just shown up midway through this July 1 event, made a speech, taken some publicity photos and left.

But Pujols doesn't do anything halfway or half-heartedly. He arrived shortly after the 4 p.m. start with his wife, Dee Dee, and daughters Bella and Sophia, 7, and son, A.J., 12.

For the next 3 1/2 hours, he made his way through the maze of games, some Angels apparel-donning fans and all the families who understand the challenges of Down syndrome.

He was here not as a ballplayer but as a devoted father simply dressed in a black T-shirt, blue jeans and a black baseball cap. No Angels No. 5 uniform. No heart-of-the-order bat. No first baseman's glove.

But all love.

"This is what Albert Pujols does with his day off," said an awestruck Kellie Perez, senior director of the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County.

"He can do anything. It means so much to us that he spends it here, at home, with us."

Todd Perry, executive director/CEO, shakes hands with Eric Menter, 41, during the Pujols Family Foundation Game Day Debut at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim on July 1. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
From right, Albert Pujols poses with fans Eric Menter, 41, and caretaker Rodger Hayes during the Pujols Family Foundation Game Day Debut at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim on July 1. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Albert Pujols plays with his son A.J. Pujols during the Pujols Family Foundation Game Day Debut at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim on July 1. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Albert Pujols give a high-five to his son A.J. Pujols during the Pujols Family Foundation Game Day Debut at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim on July 1. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Albert Pujols' daughter, Isabella, 15, plays a game during the Pujols Family Foundation Game Day Debut at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim on July 1. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Albert Pujols takes a photo of his children playing, from left, A.J., 12, Sophia, 7, and Isabella, 15, during the Pujols Family Foundation Game Day Debut at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim on July 1. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Albert Pujols plays a game with Jeremy Fraser and Anya De Roock, 12, during the Pujols Family Foundation Game Day Debut at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim on July 1. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER
Albert Pujols plays a game with Jeremy Fraser and Anya De Roock, 12, during the Pujols Family Foundation Game Day Debut at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim on July 1. ANA P. GUTIERREZ, FOR THE REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.